Cambridge A-Level Sociology: Globalisation Debates, Identity and Politics — Practice Questions (9699)

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — Cambridge International holds copyright in its own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available through your school or Cambridge directly.

Related: Globalisation debates revision notes

The 9699 syllabus states that Paper 4 has six essay questions, two per section, and that candidates answer two questions from different sections, each worth 35 marks and requiring contrasting views or evidence. The questions below cover syllabus heading 7 (sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3). Short warm-up questions come first to check knowledge before the essays.

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Warm-up questions

W1. Define glocalisation. [2]

W2. Distinguish between the globalist and sceptic perspectives on globalisation. [4]

W3. Explain what is meant by cultural defence. [3]

W4. Give two examples of global social movements. [2]

Warm-up answers

• W1. The adaptation of global products, services or ideas to suit local cultures and markets (Roland Robertson, 1992). 1 mark for “global and local mixing”, 2 for a precise definition.
• W2. Globalists (for example Kenichi Ohmae) argue globalisation is real, new and weakening nation states; sceptics (Hirst and Thompson, 1996) argue it is exaggerated, most trade is regional and states remain powerful. 2 marks per side.
• W3. Strengthening a group’s culture, often through religion or nationalism, when it feels threatened by outside influences such as globalisation; for example religious revival as a marker of national identity (Bruce, 1996).
• W4. Any two, for example the 1999 Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization, the World Social Forum, Occupy, or Fridays for Future.

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Essay 1 (7.1): Who benefits?

“Globalisation mainly benefits the rich and powerful.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

Supporting the view (AO1/AO2):

• Marxist: globalisation is capitalism’s expansion; Leslie Sklair’s transnational capitalist class (TNC executives, globalising politicians and professionals, consumerist elites) gains most.
• World-systems theory (Wallerstein): core countries extract surplus from the periphery.
• Feminist: Cynthia Enloe (1989) shows how export industries, tourism and military bases depend on women’s low-paid labour; global care chains move care work from poorer to richer households.
• TNCs relocate production to low-wage economies with weak labour protection.

Against the view:

• Globalist: trade and investment have lifted many out of extreme poverty and spread technology, for example mobile phones and online banking in low-income countries.
• Postmodernist: consumers everywhere gain choice and new identities.
• Migrant remittances and outsourcing create jobs and incomes in developing economies.

Evaluation (AO3):

• Transformationalist (Held et al., 1999): benefits are real but unevenly distributed, so “mainly” is the key word to judge.
• Sceptic: outcomes depend more on national policy than on globalisation itself.
• Consider gender, class and country together, not separately.

Level guidance: top answers build a sustained argument, use several perspectives accurately, apply examples from more than one society and reach a supported conclusion. Answers that list perspectives without weighing them stay in the middle band.

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Essay 2 (7.2): Identity

“Globalisation is leading to cultural homogenisation.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

For homogenisation:

• George Ritzer’s The McDonaldization of Society (1993): rationalised, standardised practices spread across countries and sectors.
• Westernisation / cultural imperialism: global media, brands and English-language content carry Western consumerism and individualism.
• Young people in many societies share platforms, fashions and music.

Against homogenisation (divergence):

• Hybrid identity: Homi Bhabha (1994) and Stuart Hall describe new identities formed from several cultures, especially in diasporas.
• Cultural defence and ethnic revitalisation: threatened groups strengthen traditions, languages and religion; Steve Bruce (1996).
• Glocalisation: global firms adapt to local tastes (Robertson, 1992).
• Samuel Huntington (1996) and Benjamin Barber (1995) see globalisation provoking cultural conflict and backlash rather than sameness.

Evaluation:

• Distinguish surface consumption (brands) from deeper values and identities.
• Homogenisation may be strongest in cities and among the young and affluent.
• Conclude whether the evidence suggests convergence, divergence or a mixture.

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Essay 3 (7.3): Power and politics

“The nation state is no longer able to deal with global problems.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

Supporting the view:

• Globalists: Ohmae’s The End of the Nation State (1995) — markets and TNCs have outgrown states.
• Ulrich Beck’s Risk Society: manufactured risks such as climate change, pandemics and financial crises cross borders.
• Global finance and tax avoidance limit governments’ ability to raise revenue.

Against the view:

• Sceptics: states still control borders, armies, law and taxation; national responses to pandemics and trade disputes show their power.
• Transformationalists: states pool sovereignty to act together, for example the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015).
• Some states have grown more powerful through surveillance technology and control of the internet.

Global social movements as an alternative:

• Seattle 1999, the World Social Forum and climate movements show non-state actors setting agendas; Manuel Castells (1996) on network power.
• Evaluation: movements raise awareness but rely on states to legislate.

Evaluation: distinguish between strong and weak states; judge whether states are losing power or changing how they use it.

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Essay 4 (7.3): Democracy and human rights

“Globalisation has spread liberal democracy and human rights.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

• For: Fukuyama’s “The End of History?” (1989); spread of elections after the Cold War; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and international courts; global media exposure of abuses; social media used in protest movements.
• Against: democratic reversals and authoritarian resilience; Marxist view that “democracy promotion” serves Western economic interests; TNCs and financial markets constrain elected governments; human rights applied selectively.
• Evaluation: separate formal democracy (elections) from substantive rights; consider regional differences; reach a judgement on how far globalisation, rather than internal factors, explains change.

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Frequently asked questions

How many perspectives should a 35-mark essay use? Usually three or four used in depth, set against each other, with a reasoned conclusion.

Can I use the same examples in different essays? Yes, but apply them to the specific question; an example of a TNC can support a “who benefits” essay or a “nation state” essay in different ways.

Should I plan before writing? Yes. A five-minute plan of for, against and judgement keeps the essay analytical rather than descriptive.

Related pages: globalisation debates study guide | Paper 4 practice questions